Remember, remember the fledgling Flyers: dusting, and decluttering a lot..

[DarknessSoothes]

Come one come all, fledgling reunite. 1st of the month and we survived the fright. Bonfire month and lets burn though the housework to prepare for the festivities of December.

As from the 1st we will be babystepping, mission and deep cleaning our way out of the C.H.A.O.S. (can't have anyone over syndrome).

For newbies and those who need reminding here is the principles behind the babystep system.

The basic is this:

1. Do the babysteps.
2. When you do the babysteps with consistency add in the missions
3. When you are doing the babysteps and missions as a habbit tackle the deep cleaning.

This thread is a mishmash of people at different stages. The lists can look long, but look carefully, some of us are reposting lists and parts of lists from day to day.

Our motto is this: Do not strive to be perfect, Progress is progress and anything is better then nothing and my personal favourite part of the fly lady system is you are never behind, just jump in and start from where you are.

So on that note here we go. With much thanks to Ellie who lead us with amusing roundups last month.

Day 1: Babystep 1 - How to shine your sink

Mission here - this will update overnight ready for the early fledglings

Tuesday's reminders are here: It's planning day

And for those of you who are eagerly awaiting christmas here is the flylady's crusing into christmas page. Personally i did some of this last year and done some this year and it does take a chunk of the stress out of christmas.

Well now that I have suitably scared you, see you all tomo!!

MC LOL I haven't done anything since I got in, I managed the bits I have done before work this morning! Good luck with kitchen!

hiya all!

madwoman well done on your mad flying morning! And I would love a newly decorated bedroom

Good luck with the job interview MC, you deserve the job!

Very excited as I'm getting my oven cleaned professionally tomorrow. Also very [blushed] by it as it truly is awful. It's started leaking grease when on for a long time. double

Also had a tough week work wise but nothing I can do so will have to stop stressing about it.

Tomorrows list.

Wash on
Cut down massive weed which has appeared on the driveway
Mop kitchen floor
Watch Christmas lights switch on
Finish writing christmas cards
find out when xmas stamps are on sale- anyone know this?
Wipe out microwave
Write massive list for the weekend

Nicknacks you are truly keeping to the spirit of the Xmas missions.
Dd has made her first card of the season in Brownies [for me [proud mum] in an sealed envelope of course

Not a good day, felt bleugh and generally unproductive, unlike you OFM and Madwoman, and well done MC on meal planning for busy days.

My soup tasted horrible (never use old celeriac in soup) and my stirfry was a bit cabbagey. I feel truly fed up with my kitchen - it self destructs in seconds.

However on the plus side: dd made a choc cake, I made a choc cake earlier, ds1 did his homework at top speed straightaway (amazing what handing him a slice of cake when he walked in the door can do), and I managed to scrape myself to Beavers. And I booked some Xmas Go-Karting in Slough for the dcs, as Ds2 is obsessed by this, so put an end to his moaning about that.
Nice chat with my mum on phone too. She wants to know if I want to live in Ireland when I'm 55..Who knows....

All my fingers and toes crossed for your interview MC.

SC hope the door furniture has settled in nicely. I keep remembering that TS Eliot line, Not What I Meant, Not What I Meant At All whenever I do anything to my house. Sometimes I am pleasantly surprised

Nicknacks hope mindees were alright, and it was not too difficult with dd. Hope you are getting enough sleep recently.

wow, nicknacks, you are good at this christmas stuff... even though we bought the cards, they aren't written yet! (despite the posting date looming!)

that said, we have the town christmas shopping festival this weekend with craft fair and all sorts (and all of the restaurants offering free food and snackies as you walk around the late night openings etc) so i am vowing to get a lot done this weekend. my lovely neighbour is selling at the craft fair, as are lots of local artists, so hopefully i can get lots of great presents. i think this year i am just going to deliberately get lovely things that are totally impractical, as surely everyone has had enough of being skint and cutting back? there'll be no 'necessities' from mad this year.

and we are going to see 'stomp' on saturday too (as well as volunteering for a bottle drive in the morning lol) so it will be a busy weekend. but hopefully productive, too! i'm v excited

and apparently not thinking about flying at all, as i've been distracted by sugar plums etc... (which reminds me, the dd's and i also have tickets to the nutcracker on 18th dec in the city, a christmas tradition, and also coincidentally the day that the ils fly in for christmas, so as long as their plane isn't delayed, we can come out of the theatre (matinee, natch) and meet them for dinner!

less daydreaming, more flying, woman!! (but my house is going to look lovely at christmas. honeslty, it will.)

Whereabouts do you live Swan? PM me if you'd rather.

nicknacks I'm not in Slough, but near Ealing, which connects for those of us can't drive , to Slough, and it's the nearest go-karting venue I've found...

Hope things pick up soon nicknacks

I'm impressed with all the Christmas preparations! I'm happily ploughing through present buying but need to put together a list of who I've bought for and who I haven't as I'm pretty sure my nana has 3 presents

Flying might slow down a bit over the next few days as DP grandad (he looks to him like his dad, guru, hero etc) has been diagnosed as having a brain tumor so I'm not sure how much I'll be needed at hospitals and things, or I might not be needed at all and in that case I'll be flying lots to make it nice for him coming back from visiting!

Toffee I remember oddly, ds1 watching Beauty and Beast several times when he was under two (I was heavily pregnant and chained to sofa) and people being shocked (it had lots of scary scenes) and him in a funny way so uncomprehending that he didn't find it as scary as he might have when he was four or five. So perhaps ds1 just didn't realise what was scary about the film he watched whereas a more adult person gets full threat of it.
Ds1 watched Coraline last Tues Inset day and he still is telling me at bedtime that the memory is scaring him, whereas HP, Matrix doesn't frighten him at all. So I suppose they just respond to different stuff. I think you are TOTALLY in your rights to ask mother from now on to supervise computer viewing of 11-12 year olds, as there might be other stuff they watch which isn't suitable too.

In Scouts they were doing challenge type physical games from the Cube - I couldn't remember where I heard the name from, now I remember that was the film you said was unsuitable!

I just can't watch anything scary at all. M Night Shamalyan is about my limit. Gladiator was almost too much for me in gore and Girl with Dragon Tattoo etc impossibly violent.

Good morning.

We arrived back late last night and I know it is going to be a nightmare this morning getting DD4 and DS up for school.
All went really well at the interviews and medicals, so plans are going ahead. Final hurdle jumped! YAY!!!!

Sorry I have not caught up with the thread. Just on to post, then I will read through later.

List for today:
Survive breakfast time with very grumpy/tired DS and DD4.
Get DD4 to college (also will be very grumpy and tired - joy of joys!!)
Emergency shopping. Microwave has blown up, so the dinner for DH planned for 10pm tonight will have to be changed.
Work from home - 2 days of work to do at home today!
Search internet for a new microwave! - bloomin thing blew up 10 days ago, DH refused to accept that it was broken and insisted that the fuse had blown, he eventually replaced the fuse on Monday and declared it mended and him as the mr -fix-it of the century only to have the whole house thrown into darkness when the microwave spectacularly blew all the electrics in the house within 10 seconds of it being turned on. He has now agreed that I can get a new microwave that I could have had 10 days ago!
We have a new sofa arriving tomorrow, so I must clear out the front lounge for it.
Thursday wont be Thursday unless I manage to do some baking, so try and squeeze something in!!
Tea tonight is in about 4 relays of people eating, so a slow-cooker meal is going to be the way to go. ?????what yet
Prepare for leading a meeting tonight
Meeting!!
Home by about 10.30 and collapse!!

sneaks in under naughty corner tinsel box.

lauren sorry to hear about dp grandad. Thinking of you
swan my ds is scared of most films but dh is on a desensitising mission go karting sounds fab
nicknacks I've had a quote for oven cleaning and I must book in thx for the reminder.
mc grr at car troubles we just paid £800 for fix that hasn't worked! Good luck for interview.
om well done on doing any flying yesterday.
darkness gosh at cake and scone making huge waves and bows at thread leader.
mad they don't do a pox vaccination here yet although they are talking about it. Pst. What does dx stand for?

Right I would love to read back more but time to get up.

My list as need focus and want to stay on track and thread as missing you gals.

Up
Dw/wm
Dressed x 3
S/s
Swim stuff
Packed lunch x2 I know should have done these last night
Nursery drop
Work try sort layout issues for this years invoices. Prints fine on one printer but not the other!!
Pick ds up take to swimming
Pick dd up on way back
Decorate their snug with chrimbo decks
Do homework
Gym
Put away ironed clothes
Time with dh.

Let's see how I do.

Have lovely days

Did long whingy post last night but don't seem to have pressed send - prob just as well!

Lots of errands to run today and DS2 home again. Will attempt more quiet house bleugh at nap time but hoovering and shredding will have to wait!

Waves to all and dashes out again.

Am sitting here freezing up in my garret, so have just turned the heating up. Below freezing here again today - I really need to go for a run to warm myself up, but it's just too slippery outside so I'm going to leave it for a couple of hours and hope it will have warmed up enough to melt the ice by the time I've got today's work done.

The house is going from bad to worse; I stayed up until around 11 pm last night trying to get it into a fit state to be cleaned. Was just about to phone the cleaner this morning to ask why she was late when I noticed that she'd texted me at midnight to say she was going to Slovakia so wouldn't be able to come today. Oh well, at least the house is tidyish (if only because I've stuffed everything into drawers and cupboards) if not sparkling clean.

Parents' evening yesterday afternoon (so parents' afternoon, in fact) - DD1's teacher was surprisingly positive about her, which was really good to hear. She said her presentation about London was very good, that she'd spoken freely (which I really can't imagine) and that she'd answered the other children's questions well afterwards. She also thinks DD1 would manage at grammar school with a bit of extra help, which we were both quite surprised about (she got a 4 - equivalent to a D - in her latests maths Schularbeit) - but middle school is looking like the most likely option atm. The only thing that DD2's teacher had to say about her was that her delivery is very monotone when she reads out loud to the class, otherwise no problems (I do find it a little annoying the way that they focus on the negatives here).

Must get back to work if I want to fit in a run. Busy afternoon ahead of us too, with a book fair at kindergarten and then DD2's and DS's ice skating lesson (although DS says he doesn't want to go - now that we've bought him some skates).

Morning!

Thats a bit late notice from your cleaner linzer

Thanks for the well wishes coosto and good luck on the long list!

Well done pa that's fantastic news about your job!

Feeling a bit lacking in motivation today but other than sending a few emails for DPs business I'm not needed at hospital so I need to keep on top of housework to keep stress levels to a minimum...so

To do:

Hoover
Filing (both should have been done yesterday but I forgot
Washing and drying *1
Wash up/dry/shine sink
Come up with storage solution for coats shoes and handbag near the door
Wash DD bedding
Put laundry away
Yesterday and today's missions

Be back later!

I'm also lacking in motivation lauren, not to mention being tired from my late night crisis tidy, but am hoping will help. A run might wake me up, but I need to translate another three paragraphs first - need to do so asap, as I really don't want my run to coincide with kindergarten pick-up at 11.45 (I won't be collecting DS until later, but there will be far too many parents milling round at lunchtime).

nettle Did you ever get a postcard from London? I know we bought one, but can't remember whether we sent it. Dx means diagnosis btw; the one abbreviation I never really got when we were in the USA was Rx, which I think means prescription but I've no idea why.

Well done on the final hurdle, PA!

linzer skating lessons sound so civilized
garrets are always freezing aren't they
Lauren sorry to hear about your dp's grandad
PA glad interview went well

Blue hope frustrations of yesterday can be overcome. Life with toddlers is deeply frustrating, all the little things conspire, life moves soo slowly. And builders don't help do they..hope patio nearly finished and not too much mud around.

A calm morning here. Ds1 is looking forward to his solo in his St Cecilia Day concert at his school, unfortunately he now says he has a sore throat that is guaranteed to make me a nervous wreck (DH has now agreed to be the audience instead of me) Dd has suddenly decided she likes Playmobil and spent happy minutes looking through catalogue talking about which Mansion she wanted for Xmas, ds2 is actually good at Maths and did his homework in 5 mins!!! On cold mornings the house seems a cosy place...

Off to work in a few mins, must just unload dw.

swan I like the idea of sounding civilised. Unfortunately, the idea probably doesn't quite live up to the reality. But I do feel almost civilised now that I have my own white lace-up boots and no longer have to hire obviously-hired-not-white-lace-up ones.

DD2 has been going through the Playmobil catalogue for months deciding what she wants for her birthday and Christmas. A stone age cave complete with mammoth has already been purchased. I sometimes wonder whether there's any end in sight with Playmobil (DD2 says not, as she's going to keep it all for her children).

at dd2 already hording for future kids, linzer

I also lack motivation but have a rather large bottle of cola and there will be nothing left of it by the end of the day. I have a huge to do list but would really rather be on the ice. So hoping to get enough done to facilitate some ice time later.

Ds otoh is being a pain about training atm. Loves it when there but doesn't want to go. Today he has tried the but i am too poorly to go to school so I can possibly go to training thing. Which is odd because he was perfectly fine until i told him he was definetly going to training and he was not getting out of it tonight suspicious moi? can't thinhk why.

Right must do everything that i have been planning to do since thursday last wk that i haven't got around to doing. More caffine is needed. I will be bloody flying by the end of the day at this rate. But all i want to do right now is crawl back into bed and hibernate

List:
Drink lots of cola
collect laundry downstairs
strip beds
dis-infect 4 bins
Tidy ds' room 90% done but need to deep clean floor before can finish off
sort through and cull ds' books
move small coffee table into ds' room ready for him to have his small christmas tree in there.
Duvet on to wash
DW on
fireplace cleaned out and relaid
folding
ironing
empty hall of furniture and stuff
collect rubbish
retape stick again don't ask.
take stock of christmas presents and wrap up those have.
Empty study
hoover study
move lounge furniture into study
remove random stuff from lounge
tidy bathroom
tidy cloak room
clean cloak room
hoover lounge, hall, stairs and landing, bathroom, ds' room and spare room
bleach bathroom, cloak room and ds' room (thank goodness for laminate/lino flooring)
Remember to eat lunch
move box off landing
pack up ds' training stuff
sort out my training stuff
clear lose junk off landing - bin/recycle or rehome as necessary.
Laundry.

Ok quick question ds is getting a calander and diary for part of his stocking this year. Do i fill in the important dates (ie birthday's and school holidays) before i give it to him or on Boxing day when he has gone to his dad's?

On phone so distinct lack of personals - sorry all! But will suggest to Darkness that the diary/calendar is left blank - much more exciting to get a virgin bit of stationery (but that could just be me as a stationery addict who hates people using new notepads until I've started them! )

So my long and boring list looks like this...
? towel washing
? bed washing
? DS washing (urgent, must do today!)
? bathmats washing
? our washing (4 loads)
? lay away washing
? tidy dining room
? buy gate for utility room
? hoover & dust... everywhere
? thorough clean of bathrooms
? sort out kitchen
? write thank you notes for DS's christening
? write Christmas cards
? Christmas shopping
? pick up DH's suit
? buy more dressings for my scars

I have also managed to take DS for a haircut and do two loads of dishes in the dishwasher (plates and things so they are clean for Christmas as the good stuff got stashed away for the arrival of DS so they got a bit dusty )

DH has just been told that he will be away in a different city tomorrow, so have arranged for another mum to come round for coffee in the afternoon, but I don't think I'll get uptight about it - she's a nurse so is probably well aware that I'm not 100% yet and will forgive the mess... hopefully! However, I do think I'll have to do the kitchen today as I have no uncluttered work surfaces, and DS can help me dust.

However, I do need to go out this afternoon as I went to Boots yesterday and picked up PJ's for DS in the sale, got them home and realised the security tag is still attached so I need to get it taken off - not impressed and will complain bitterly as the place is a 20 minute drive away and DS really needs new PJ's as his older pairs have lost the elasticity at the waist so they fall down repeatedly and cause floor headbutting with the associated wails

Right, back to the coffee and TV grindstone!

Phew - the talk with the other mum went well. Turns out she left her boyfriend in charge that evening and he left the boys to their own devices (oh yes, three 12-year-old boys will be fine left up all night with a computer with no safe search controls on it ). She was as shocked as I was at what they'd seen (think she may be having words with said boyfriend shortly ) and we have discussed ways to ensure it never happens again. She won't tell her son she knows and I won't tell mine. This way, hopefully we can outwit them.

All three boys are good natured, lovely boys. Why oh why do they want to watch such horrible things?

Back in a minute when I've caught up with the chat here.

Update only. Sorry.

List:
Drink lots of cola
collect laundry downstairs
strip beds
dis-infect 4 bins
Tidy ds' room 90% done but need to deep clean floor before can finish off
sort through and cull ds' books
--move small coffee table into ds' room ready for him to have his small christmas tree in there.
Duvet on to wash
DW on
fireplace cleaned out and relaid
folding up-to-date for now.
ironing
empty hall of furniture and stuff
collect rubbish
retape stick again don't ask.
take stock of christmas presents and wrap up those have.
Empty study
hoover study
move lounge furniture into study
remove random stuff from lounge
tidy bathroom in progress
tidy cloak room
clean cloak room
hoover lounge, hall, stairs and landing, bathroom, ds' room and spare room
bleach bathroom, cloak room and ds' room (thank goodness for laminate/lino flooring)
Remember to eat lunch
move box off landing
pack up ds' training stuff although missing a training top
sort out my training stuff
clear lose junk off landing - bin/recycle or rehome as necessary. in progress
Laundry. 1st load on
Find missing training top
find advent calanders reusable ones so were put somewhere safe at end of christmas last you and you know what safe places are like.

fuzzle. I am the same wrt stationary and tbh i decided i just can't face sorting calander so it is wrapped up in brand new state.

Right getting cold so must be standing still too long

Lunch, missing top and ironing next I think.

Madwoman - at your uncluttered bedroom. In my house, it is the newly decorated dining room which remains uncluttered, whereas the bedroom is the repository of all the clutter. Let me know what you think of 'Stomp' - I would love to go and was wondering if it would be suitable for my children (12 and 6).

OFM - hope you have a better day at work today. I'm amazed by how much you achieve before you go to work, by the way.

MC - thank you for your good wishes with the mum. It went well (see above!). I really hope you get a job out of the next interview.

Lauren - so sorry to hear about your DP's grandad .

Nicknacks - how's the newly clean oven looking? Christmas stamps are on sale now, by the way (you asked when...).

Swan - how wonderful that your son is doing a solo! Is that singing? I have persuaded DS1 to join the school choir as he has a beautiful singing voice (maybe it will distract him from unsuitable films ). 'The Cube' is also a gameshow on TV, so I expect the children were copying that, rather than the film I mentioned. 'Coraline' was too scary for my youngest son at 5. He still shrieks if I mention 'button eyes' .

PA - that's great that the interviews went so well . LOL at your DH and his microwave mending (lack of).

Coosnettle - Christmas decorations going up already?

Blue - sorry your DS2 is off sick.

Linzer - at your cleaner. at your negative teachers. at the teacher who was positive about DD1.

Fuzzled - how annoying about the PJs.

Darkness - I would fill in the diary first (opposite of Fuzzled's advice!), but that's because I know my son wouldn't fill it in himself. I even have to fill in dates on his school diary for him.

All of you who are already doing your Christmas cards and talking about decorations are making me feel panicky. Stop it!

Well, the good thing about having a visitor first thing this morning is that it galvanised me into action and now downstairs is looking very tidy. Our bedroom is another matter. And as for the laundry... Luckily, I have time to catch up today, as DH has gone to a meeting and DS2 won't need picking up till 5ish (going to a friend's to play after school). I will need to tackle homework issues with DS1 when he comes in, but I have another 3 1/2 hours till then. Ooh, it's lovely to be in a quiet house, for a change.

I'm going to come out and admit it, im scared of coralline I had to turn it off!